Title of Invention	GUIDE MECHANISM WITH AT LEAST ONE GUIDE ROLLER FOR THE GUIDANCE OF WEB TREATMENT INSTALLATION.
Abstract	Guide mechanism (1) with individual chamber modules (30,31) and at least one guide roller (2), having an axis (5) and disposed in an evacuatable web treatment installation for the guidance of webs (10), the spatial position of the axis (5) being settable, in which the guide roller (2) is supported between two pivot bearings (11, 12), of which at least one is adjustable relative to the other transversely to the axis (5), in which the adjustable pivot bearing (12) is disposed on a chamber wall (14) characterized in that the adjustable pivot bearing (12) comprises a slide guide (15) fastened on the chamber wall (14), on which is guided a slide (16) with the pivot bearing (12), so that the absolutely linear orientation of the individual chamber modules (30,31) becomes superfluous

Title of Invention

GUIDE MECHANISM WITH AT LEAST ONE GUIDE ROLLER FOR THE GUIDANCE OF WEB TREATMENT INSTALLATION.

Abstract

Guide mechanism (1) with individual chamber modules (30,31) and at least one guide roller (2), having an axis (5) and disposed in an evacuatable web treatment installation for the guidance of webs (10), the spatial position of the axis (5) being settable, in which the guide roller (2) is supported between two pivot bearings (11, 12), of which at least one is adjustable relative to the other transversely to the axis (5), in which the adjustable pivot bearing (12) is disposed on a chamber wall (14) characterized in that the adjustable pivot bearing (12) comprises a slide guide (15) fastened on the chamber wall (14), on which is guided a slide (16) with the pivot bearing (12), so that the absolutely linear orientation of the individual chamber modules (30,31) becomes superfluous

Full Text	[0001] The invention relates to a guide mechanism in evacuatable web treatmemt installations for the guidance of webs as hereunder described. [0002] Through the paper "Engineering Solutions Enabling a New Family of Expandable, Multi-Process, Multi-Chamber Vacuum Roll Coaters", published 1999, Society of Vacuum Coaters, 42nd Annual Technical Conference Proceedings (1999) ISSN 0737-5921, pp. 475 to 479, it has become known to connect in series a large number of modular chambers and lock valves in order to be able to carry out sequentially any desired coating and treatment processes of webs. However, this presupposes the highly precise orientation of the module chambers, in order to make possible the trouble-free transport of the webs through all chambers and their connection slots. [0003] The installation is one that is combined or can be combined out of chamber modules, for which no possibilities for the relative orientation of the chambers with respect to one another and no internal means for the correction of the web running path are specified. [0004] DE 197 35 603 C1 discloses disposing in the individual module chambers, separated by web valves, roller frames with guide and coating rollers, such that the web traversal can be adapted through the registration or torsion of the roller frames relative to one another. Since hereby the coating rollers, denoted as cooling rollers, are also rotated, it is required to adapt by adjustment the coating sources, so-called magnetron sputter sources, to the spatial position of the coating rollers. Such setting or registration is cumbersome, time consuming and complicated and assumes a vast number of adjusting mechanisms and manual setting processes. Not disclosed are especially solutions to the problem, that through the adjustment of the coating rollers the gap widths between their surfaces and stationary chamber partitioning walls, which encompass the coating rollers, are also changed. [0005] US 4 485 125 discloses affecting near the end of an arcuate running path of travel of a web through a long series of vacuum chambers, disposed in the form of an arc, the remaining path thereby that before the winding-up the web is allowed to run over a single roller whose one bearing can be adjusted eccentrically such that a telescopic winding on the take-up winding roller is avoided. While it is possible to adjust under remote operation the direction of the eccentricity through a light barrier, not, however, the degree of the eccentricity. Direction of adjustment and eccentricity are therewith coupled necessarily, and this can have a negative effect. The eccentricity must be kept low, for example a few thousandths of an inch, in order for the web not be abut the slot edges which are disposed in front and above said roller. The installation is one combined or that can be combined out of chamber modules for which no possibilities for the relative orientation of the chambers with respect to one another are specified. [0006] EP 0 733 736 A2 discloses in the case of a non-vacuum installation, for example in paper production by means of a continuous running belt, such as a screen belt or conveyor belt, to adjust the angular position of at least one of the plurality of rollers forming a roller array through its one bearing block directed movably on rollers, relative to the running direction of the belt. Such continuous belts form a loop which is inherent to the installation and is not wound up, but rather serves for the underpropping and for the transport of the finite paper web or the product to be treated. The problem of telescopic winding of the paper web is not addressed; rather, the issue involves only avoiding the lateral migration of the continuous belt on the roller array. The device does not pertain to the species. [0007] In its introduction US 2001/0040097 Al clearly expresses a position in contrast to the above cited US 4 485 125. Disclosed is an apparatus operated for the galvanic coating with liquid baths and water. Vacuum processes are conventionally operated in a vacuum of less than 1 mbar, for example up to 10-2 mbar and below. In such a vacuum an aqueous fluid would evaporate to a large extent. Transfer of the known solution to vacuum processes is thus neither disclosed nor made obvious. [0008] The invention therefore has as its aim to specify a guide mechanism of the above described species, in which the absolutely linear orientation of the individual chamber modules becomes superfluous, and in which the web guidance can be set and fixed in position independently of possibly not exactly linear spatial positions of the coating rollers and of the treatment and coating sources and chamber modules. [0009] The solution of the posed aim is achieved according to the invention through the distinguishing features of the invention described hereunder. [0010] The invention avoids the disadvantages of prior art, in particular a guide arrangement of the above described species is specified, in which the absolutely linear orientation of the individual chamber modules becomes superfluous, and in which the web guidance can be set and fixed in position independently of possibly not exactly linear spatial positions of the coating roller and/or of the treatment and coating sources and chamber modules and can be carried out without great constructional and operational effort. [0011] The invention therefore has as its aim to specify a guide arrangement of the above described species, in which an absolutely linear orientation of the individual chamber modules becomes unnecessary, and in which the web guidance can be set and fixed in position independently of the spatial positions of the coating roller and of the treatment and coating sources and chambers. [0012] The defined aim is attained according to the invention thereby that the guide roller is supported between two pivot bearings, of which at least one is adjustable relative to the other transversely to the axis. [0013] The invention avoids the disadvantages of prior art. In particular a guide arrangement of the above described species is specified, in which the absolutely linear orientation of the individual chamber modules becomes superfluous, and in which the web guidance can be carried out settably and fixably independently of the spatial positions of the coating roller and/or the treatment and coating sources and chambers without great constructional and operational effort. [0014] It is especially advantageous if within the scope of additional embodiments of the invention - either singly or in combination: [0015] * the adjustable pivot bearing is adjustable parallel to the chamber wall, [0016] * the adjustable pivot bearing comprises a slide guide fastened on the chamber wall, on which a slide with the pivot bearing is guided, [0017] * the adjustable pivot bearing is pivotably mounted on the slide, [0018] * the adjustment direction of the slide guide lies in the bisecting line of the arc of contact of the guide roller by the web, [0019] * the adjustable pivot bearing comprises a remotely operated adjustment drive, [0020] * the adjustment drive is comprised of an electromotor, a step-down gear and a rotation coupling, [0021] * the rotation coupling comprises an elastic intermediate member, [0022] * the electromotor, the step-down gear and the rotation coupling have axes aligned with one another, [0023] * the aligned axes are oriented parallel to the displacement direction of the slide guide, [0024] * the portion, not covered by the slide, of the slide guide is covered by at least one bellows, [0025] * the slide guide comprises at both ends one stop each, [0026] * the pivot bearing, not adjustable in the transverse direction, on the other end of the guide roller is pivotably fastened on a holding fixture, [0027] * the holding fixture of the nonadjustable pivot bearing has axial tolerance for the compensation of angle and length changes of the guide roller, [0028] * in a series disposition of evacuatable chambers the adjustable guide rollers are each disposed in front of a slot forming the passage opening to the succeeding chamber, [0029] * in a series disposition of evacuatable chambers the adjustable guide rollers are each disposed behind a slot forming the passage opening to the succeeding chamber, [0030] * in the proximity of at least one edge of the traversing web at least one optical sensor is disposed for the acquisition of the traversal of this edge and for affecting the adjustment drive, [0031 ] * on the web traversal on a line perpendicular to the web edge several optic sensors are disposed for determining the instantaneous web traversal, {0032) * the web treatment installation is comprised of a series disposition of at least two chamber modules, in each of which an adjustable guide roller is disposed in front of a passage opening in the form of a slot to the succeeding chamber, [0033] * the orientation of the web running direction in the chambers of a web treatment installation combined out of individual chamber modules, in the event the web running direction deviates from a straight line on the roller arrangements of the adjacent chamber modules, not oriented exactly with respect to one another, in at least one of these chamber modules can be set through at least one adjustable guide roller, and/or if [0034] * the guide arrangement with at least one guide roller, which comprises an axis and is supported between two pivot bearings, of which at least one is disposed such that it is adjustable relative to the other by means of a slide guide with one slide transversely to the axis on a chamber wall, is utilized for the compensation of deviations of the running direction of webs in at least one chamber of an evacuatable web treatment installation combined out of individual chamber modules not oriented exactly with respect to one another. [0035] In the following embodiment examples of the subject of the invention and their operational mechanisms will be explained in further detail in conjunction with Figures 1 to 3. [0036] In the drawing depict: [0037] Figure 1 a partially sectioned view of a guide arrangement with radial viewing direction onto the axis of the guide roller, [0038] Figure 2 a radial section through a guide roller with a web guided thereover, and [0039] Figure 3 a perspective view of two chamber modules in series one with the other of treatment or coating installations. [0040] Figure 1 depicts a guide arrangement 1 with a guide roller 2, of which, however, only the two ends with their journal pins 3 and 4 are shown and which comprises an axis 5, a shell 6 concentric with it and two end pieces 7. The interior space 8 communicates via venting and aerating bores 9 with the environs, i.e. the chamber volume. [0041] The guide roller 2 serves for the guidance of webs 10 (see Figure 2) in evacuatable web treatment installations according to Figure 3. The spatial position of the axis 5 can be adjusted thereby that the guide roller 2 is supported between two pivot bearings 11 and 12, of which the right one is adjustable relative to the left one transversely to axis 5. The adjustable pivot bearing 12 is fastened by means of a holding fixture 13 on a chamber wall 14 and adjustable parallel to it. [0042] This is carried out thereby that the adjustable pivot bearing 12 comprises a slide guide 15 fastened on the chamber wall 14, on which slide guide a slide 16 with the pivot bearing 12 is guided. This is pivotably mounted on slide 16 via a bearing housing 17 by means of a swivel bearing 18. [0043] According to Figure 2 the adjustment direction (double arrow) of the slide guide 15 lies in the bisecting line of the arc of contact of, for example, 90 degrees of the guide roller 2 by the web 10. Hereby through a minimum adjustment range a maximum change of the web running direction transversely to web 10 can be attained, such that the latter, without contact with the edge of a slot 19 in a partitioning wall 20, can be guided between two chamber volumes and be taken over by the web guide in the succeeding chamber volume. However, in principle an adjustment into any spatial positions is possible. An adjustment can also be omitted if the web running path already meets the specifications. A person skilled in the art can choose between maximum adjustment effect and maximum adjustment precision by deviating from the bisecting line of the arc. [0044] The adjustable pivot bearing 12 comprises a remotely operated adjustment drive 21 comprised of an electromotor 22, a step-down gear 23 and a rotation coupling 24 and placed in a supporting housing 25, which can be vented and aerated. The rotation coupling 24 includes an elastic intermediate member which is not provided with a reference number. The electromotor 22, the step-down gear 23 and the rotation coupling 24 have axes aligned with one another, which are oriented parallel to the displacement direction of the slide guide 15. The portion of the slide guide 15, not covered by slide 16, is covered by at least one bellows 26. The slide guide 15 comprises one stop 15a and 15b at each end. [0045] The orientation of the guide roller 2 or the traversing web 10, respectively, can be automated thereby that the position of the edge of the web 10 is detected via an (not shown) optical sensor, which, via a control element, for example the adjustment drive 21, orients the guide roller 2 accordingly. It is also feasible to employ several optical sensors on a line perpendicular to the web edge, through which the instantaneous position of the web 10 is acquired. [0046] The left pivot bearing 11, which is not adjustable transversely to axis 5, is fastened on the other end of guide roller 2 swivellably on a stationary holding fixture 27, and specifically via a bearing housing 28 and a further swivel bearing 29. The disposition is herein such that the holding fixture 27 of the nonadjustable pivot bearing 11 has axial tolerance for the compensation of angle and length changes of the guide roller 2. A suspension 27a can be comprised of a chamber wall or by a mounting lug suspended on the chamber ceiling. In the latter case, also shown in Figure 3, the suspension terminates at the dot-dash delimiter line 27b. [0047] Figure 3 shows a perspective view of two chamber modules 30 and 31 in series one with the other of treatment or coating installations, which are comprised of the series disposition of evacuatable chambers 32, 33, 34 and 35, in which the adjustable guide rollers 2 are each disposed in front of a passage opening in the form of a slot 19 to the succeeding chamber, as is indicated in Figure 2. [0048] Chamber 32 is an inward transport lock chamber with a rotatable arbor 32a for an (not shown here) untreated web roll and a closure flap 32b. The chamber modules 30 and 31 are structured similarly. Their chambers 33 and 34 are also evacuatable and each has in its center a cooled coating roller 36 on the circumference of which four radial partitioning walls are disposed, which are here not provided with reference numbers and whose inner ends, with the exception of a narrow gap, extend up to the particular emplaced web 10. [0049] Above the two uppermost partitioning walls is located a common subchamber for all guide and deflection rollers, beneath said partitioning walls are located three sector- shaped subchambers for sliding in, not shown, treatment and/or coating sources, which are fastened on a closure plate which is also not shown here and which can be moved away. All subchambers are connected to their own vacuum pumps 37. [0050] Chamber 35 is an outward transport lock chamber with a rotatable arbor 35a for a treated web roll, not shown here, and a closure flap 35b. The front closure walls of the chambers 32 and 35 are also omitted to permit inspecting the inside. [0051] The guide rollers 2 are not driven, but are "dragged" by the particular emplaced web. They also do not need to have a cylindrical surface, but can also be implemented as expander rollers in banana form or with conical roller segments, whose shell lines traverse a common, aligned and linear take-off. The number of chamber modules 30 and 31 is nearly arbitrary. [0052] In contrast to, for example, DE 197 35 603 Cl, neither the coating roller nor the treatment and coating sources nor the partitioning walls between the subchambers need to be repositioned with a registration of the guide roller to follow its movement. List of Reference Numbers 1 Guide arrangement 2 Guide roller 3 Bearing journal pin 4 Bearing journal pin 5 Axis 6 Shell 7 End pieces 8 Interior space 9 Venting and aerating bores 10 Web 11 Pivot bearing 12 Pivot bearing 13 Holding fixture 14 Chamber wall 15 Slide guide 15a Stop 15b Stop 16 Slide 17 Bearing housing 18 Swivel bearing 19 Slot 20 Partitioning wall 21 Adjustment drive 22 Electromotor 23 Step-down gear 24 Rotation coupling 25 Housing 26 Bellows 27 Holding fixture 27a Suspension device 27b Delimiting line 28 Bearing housing 29 Swivel bearing 30 Chamber module 31 Chamber module 32 Chamber 32a Holding arbor 32b Closure flap 33 Chamber 34 Chamber 35 Chamber 35a Holding arbor 35b Closure flap 36 Coating roller 37 Vacuum pumps WE CLAIM: 1. Guide mechanism (1) with individual chamber modules (30,31) and at least one guide roller (2), having an axis (5) and disposed in an evacuatable web treatment installation for the guidance of webs (10), the spatial position of the axis (5) being settable, in which the guide roller (2) is supported between two pivot bearings (11,12), of which at least one is adjustable relative to the other transversely to the axis (5), in which the adjustable pivot bearing (12) is disposed on a chamber wall (14) characterized jn that the adjustable pivot bearing (12) comprises a slide guide (15) fastened on the chamber wall (14), on which is guided a slide (16) with the pivot bearing (12), so that the absolutely linear orientation of the individual chamber modules (30,31) becomes superfluous. 2. Guide mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adjustable pivot bearing (12) is adjustable parallel to the chamber wall (14). 3. Guide mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adjustable pivot bearing (12) is swivelably mounted on the slide (16). 4. Guide mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adjustment direction of the slide guide (15) lies in the bisecting line of the arc of contact of the guide roller (2) by the web (10). 5. Guide mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adjustable pivot bearing (12) comprises a remotely operated adjustment drive (21). 6. Guide mechanism as claimed in claim 5, wherein the adjustment drive (21) is comprised of an electromotor (22), a step-down gear (23) and a rotation coupling (24). 7. Guide mechanism as claimed in claim 6, wherein the rotation coupling (24) includes an elastic intermediate member. 8. Guide mechanism as claimed in claim 6, wherein the electromotor (22), the step-down gear (23) and the rotation coupling (24) have axes aligned with one another. 9. Guide mechanism as claimed in claims 1 and 8, wherein the aligned axes are oriented parallel to the displacement direction of the slide guide (15). 10. Guide mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the portion, not covered by the slide (16), of the slide guide (15) is covered by at least one bellows (26). 11.Guide mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the slide guide (15) has one stop (15a, 15b) at both of each ends. 12. Guide mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pivot bearing (11), not adjustable in the transverse direction, is fastened at the other end of the guide roller (2) swivelably on a holding fixture (27). 13. Guide mechanism as claimed in claim 12, wherein the holding fixture (27) of the nonadjustable pivot bearing (11) has axial tolerance for the compensation of angle- and length changes of the guide roller (2). 14. Guide mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein in a series disposition of evacuatable chambers (32, 33, 34, 35) the adjustable guide rollers (22) are each disposed in front of a slot (19) as passage opening to the succeeding chamber. 15. Guide mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein in a series disposition of evacuatable chambers (32, 33, 34, 35), the adjustable guide rollers (22) are each disposed behind a slot (19) as passage opening to the succeeding chamber. 16.Guide mechanism as claimed in claim1, wherein the proximity of at least one edge of the traversing web (10) at least one optical sensor is disposed for acquiring the traversal of this edge and to affect the adjustment drive (21). 17. Guide mechanism as claimed in claim 16, wherein on the web traversal on a line perpendicular to the web edge several optical sensors are disposed for determining the instantaneous web traversal. 18. Guide mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the web treatment installation is comprised of a series disposition of at least two chamber modules (30, 31), in each of which one adjustable guide roller (2) is disposed in front of a passage opening in the form of a slot (19) to the succeeding chamber (32, 33, 34, 35). 19. Guide mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein orienting the running direction of a web (10) in the chambers (32, 33, 34, 35) of a web treatment installation combined out of individual chambers (30, 31), wherein the deviation of the web running direction from a straight line on the roller or guide arrangement of the adjacent chamber modules (30, 31), not oriented exactly with respect to one another, can be compensated with at least one adjustable guide roller (2) in at least one chamber module (30, 31). 20. An evacuable web treatment installation having a plurality of chambers (32, 33, 34, 35) combined out of individual chamber modules (30, 31) not having exactly linear orientation with respect to each other comprising a guide mechanism as claimed in claims 1-19. Guide mechanism (1) with individual chamber modules (30,31) and at least one guide roller (2), having an axis (5) and disposed in an evacuatable web treatment installation for the guidance of webs (10), the spatial position of the axis (5) being settable, in which the guide roller (2) is supported between two pivot bearings (11, 12), of which at least one is adjustable relative to the other transversely to the axis (5), in which the adjustable pivot bearing (12) is disposed on a chamber wall (14) characterized in that the adjustable pivot bearing (12) comprises a slide guide (15) fastened on the chamber wall (14), on which is guided a slide (16) with the pivot bearing (12), so that the absolutely linear orientation of the individual chamber modules (30,31) becomes superfluous

Full Text

[0001] The invention relates to a guide mechanism in evacuatable web treatmemt
installations for the guidance of webs as hereunder described.
[0002] Through the paper "Engineering Solutions Enabling a New Family of Expandable,
Multi-Process, Multi-Chamber Vacuum Roll Coaters", published 1999, Society of Vacuum
Coaters, 42nd Annual Technical Conference Proceedings (1999) ISSN 0737-5921, pp. 475
to 479, it has become known to connect in series a large number of modular chambers
and lock valves in order to be able to carry out sequentially any desired coating and
treatment processes of webs. However, this presupposes the highly precise orientation
of the module chambers, in order to make possible the trouble-free transport of the
webs through all chambers and their connection slots.
[0003] The installation is one that is combined or can be combined out of chamber
modules, for which no possibilities for the relative orientation of the chambers with
respect to one another and no internal means for the correction of the web running path
are specified.
[0004] DE 197 35 603 C1 discloses disposing in the individual module chambers,
separated by web valves, roller frames with guide and coating rollers, such that the web
traversal can be adapted through the registration or torsion of the roller frames relative
to one another. Since hereby the coating rollers, denoted as cooling rollers, are also
rotated, it is required to adapt by adjustment the coating sources, so-called magnetron
sputter sources, to the spatial position of the coating rollers. Such setting or registration
is cumbersome, time consuming and complicated and assumes a vast number of
adjusting mechanisms and manual setting processes. Not disclosed are especially
solutions to the problem, that through the adjustment of the coating rollers the gap
widths between their surfaces and stationary chamber partitioning walls, which
encompass the coating rollers, are also changed.
[0005] US 4 485 125 discloses affecting near the end of an arcuate running path of
travel of a web through a long series of vacuum chambers, disposed in the form of an
arc, the remaining path thereby that before the winding-up the web is allowed to run
over a single roller whose one bearing can be adjusted eccentrically such that a
telescopic winding on the take-up winding roller is avoided. While it is possible to adjust
under remote operation the direction of the eccentricity through a light barrier, not,
however, the degree of the eccentricity. Direction of adjustment and eccentricity are
therewith coupled necessarily, and this can have a negative effect. The eccentricity must
be kept low, for example a few thousandths of an inch, in order for the web not be abut
the slot edges which are disposed in front and above said roller. The installation is one
combined or that can be combined out of chamber modules for which no possibilities for
the relative orientation of the chambers with respect to one another are specified.
[0006] EP 0 733 736 A2 discloses in the case of a non-vacuum installation, for example
in paper production by means of a continuous running belt, such as a screen belt or
conveyor belt, to adjust the angular position of at least one of the plurality of rollers
forming a roller array through its one bearing block directed movably on rollers, relative
to the running direction of the belt. Such continuous belts form a loop which is inherent
to the installation and is not wound up, but rather serves for the underpropping and for
the transport of the finite paper web or the product to be treated. The problem of
telescopic winding of the paper web is not addressed; rather, the issue involves only
avoiding the lateral migration of the continuous belt on the roller array. The device does
not pertain to the species.
[0007] In its introduction US 2001/0040097 Al clearly expresses a position in contrast
to the above cited US 4 485 125. Disclosed is an apparatus operated for the galvanic
coating with liquid baths and water. Vacuum processes are conventionally operated in a
vacuum of less than 1 mbar, for example up to 10-2 mbar and below. In such a vacuum
an aqueous fluid would evaporate to a large extent. Transfer of the known solution to
vacuum processes is thus neither disclosed nor made obvious.
[0008] The invention therefore has as its aim to specify a guide mechanism of the above
described species, in which the absolutely linear orientation of the individual chamber
modules becomes superfluous, and in which the web guidance can be set and fixed in
position independently of possibly not exactly linear spatial positions of the coating
rollers and of the treatment and coating sources and chamber modules.
[0009] The solution of the posed aim is achieved according to the invention through the
distinguishing features of the invention described hereunder.
[0010] The invention avoids the disadvantages of prior art, in particular a guide
arrangement of the above described species is specified, in which the absolutely linear
orientation of the individual chamber modules becomes superfluous, and in which the
web guidance can be set and fixed in position independently of possibly not exactly
linear spatial positions of the coating roller and/or of the treatment and coating sources
and chamber modules and can be carried out without great constructional and
operational effort.
[0011] The invention therefore has as its aim to specify a guide arrangement of the
above described species, in which an absolutely linear orientation of the individual
chamber modules becomes unnecessary, and in which the web guidance can be set and
fixed in position independently of the spatial positions of the coating roller and of the
treatment and coating sources and chambers.
[0012] The defined aim is attained according to the invention thereby that the guide roller
is supported between two pivot bearings, of which at least one is adjustable relative to the
other transversely to the axis.
[0013] The invention avoids the disadvantages of prior art. In particular a guide
arrangement of the above described species is specified, in which the absolutely linear
orientation of the individual chamber modules becomes superfluous, and in which the
web guidance can be carried out settably and fixably independently of the spatial
positions of the coating roller and/or the treatment and coating sources and chambers
without great constructional and operational effort.
[0014] It is especially advantageous if within the scope of additional embodiments of the
invention - either singly or in combination:
[0015] * the adjustable pivot bearing is adjustable parallel to the chamber wall,
[0016] * the adjustable pivot bearing comprises a slide guide fastened on the
chamber wall, on which a slide with the pivot bearing is guided,
[0017] * the adjustable pivot bearing is pivotably mounted on the slide,
[0018] * the adjustment direction of the slide guide lies in the bisecting line of the
arc of contact of the guide roller by the web,
[0019] * the adjustable pivot bearing comprises a remotely operated adjustment
drive,
[0020] * the adjustment drive is comprised of an electromotor, a step-down gear
and a rotation coupling,
[0021] * the rotation coupling comprises an elastic intermediate member,
[0022] * the electromotor, the step-down gear and the rotation coupling have axes
aligned with one another,
[0023] * the aligned axes are oriented parallel to the displacement direction of the
slide guide,
[0024] * the portion, not covered by the slide, of the slide guide is covered by at
least one bellows,
[0025] * the slide guide comprises at both ends one stop each,
[0026] * the pivot bearing, not adjustable in the transverse direction, on the other
end of the guide roller is pivotably fastened on a holding fixture,
[0027] * the holding fixture of the nonadjustable pivot bearing has axial tolerance
for the compensation of angle and length changes of the guide roller,
[0028] * in a series disposition of evacuatable chambers the adjustable guide rollers
are each disposed in front of a slot forming the passage opening to the succeeding
chamber,
[0029] * in a series disposition of evacuatable chambers the adjustable guide rollers
are each disposed behind a slot forming the passage opening to the succeeding chamber,
[0030] * in the proximity of at least one edge of the traversing web at least one
optical sensor is disposed for the acquisition of the traversal of this edge and for affecting
the adjustment drive,
[0031 ] * on the web traversal on a line perpendicular to the web edge several optic
sensors are disposed for determining the instantaneous web traversal,
{0032) * the web treatment installation is comprised of a series disposition of at
least two chamber modules, in each of which an adjustable guide roller is disposed in
front of a passage opening in the form of a slot to the succeeding chamber,
[0033] * the orientation of the web running direction in the chambers of a web
treatment installation combined out of individual chamber modules, in the event the web
running direction deviates from a straight line on the roller arrangements of the adjacent
chamber modules, not oriented exactly with respect to one another, in at least one of these
chamber modules can be set through at least one adjustable guide roller, and/or if
[0034] * the guide arrangement with at least one guide roller, which comprises an
axis and is supported between two pivot bearings, of which at least one is disposed such
that it is adjustable relative to the other by means of a slide guide with one slide
transversely to the axis on a chamber wall, is utilized for the compensation of deviations
of the running direction of webs in at least one chamber of an evacuatable web treatment
installation combined out of individual chamber modules not oriented exactly with
respect to one another.
[0035] In the following embodiment examples of the subject of the invention and their
operational mechanisms will be explained in further detail in conjunction with Figures 1
to 3.
[0036] In the drawing depict:
[0037] Figure 1 a partially sectioned view of a guide arrangement with radial
viewing direction onto the axis of the guide roller,
[0038] Figure 2 a radial section through a guide roller with a web guided thereover,
and
[0039] Figure 3 a perspective view of two chamber modules in series one with the
other of treatment or coating installations.
[0040] Figure 1 depicts a guide arrangement 1 with a guide roller 2, of which, however,
only the two ends with their journal pins 3 and 4 are shown and which comprises an axis
5, a shell 6 concentric with it and two end pieces 7. The interior space 8 communicates
via venting and aerating bores 9 with the environs, i.e. the chamber volume.
[0041] The guide roller 2 serves for the guidance of webs 10 (see Figure 2) in
evacuatable web treatment installations according to Figure 3. The spatial position of the
axis 5 can be adjusted thereby that the guide roller 2 is supported between two pivot
bearings 11 and 12, of which the right one is adjustable relative to the left one
transversely to axis 5. The adjustable pivot bearing 12 is fastened by means of a holding
fixture 13 on a chamber wall 14 and adjustable parallel to it.
[0042] This is carried out thereby that the adjustable pivot bearing 12 comprises a slide
guide 15 fastened on the chamber wall 14, on which slide guide a slide 16 with the pivot
bearing 12 is guided. This is pivotably mounted on slide 16 via a bearing housing 17 by
means of a swivel bearing 18.
[0043] According to Figure 2 the adjustment direction (double arrow) of the slide guide
15 lies in the bisecting line of the arc of contact of, for example, 90 degrees of the guide
roller 2 by the web 10. Hereby through a minimum adjustment range a maximum change
of the web running direction transversely to web 10 can be attained, such that the latter,
without contact with the edge of a slot 19 in a partitioning wall 20, can be guided between
two chamber volumes and be taken over by the web guide in the succeeding chamber
volume. However, in principle an adjustment into any spatial positions is possible. An
adjustment can also be omitted if the web running path already meets the specifications.
A person skilled in the art can choose between maximum adjustment effect and
maximum adjustment precision by deviating from the bisecting line of the arc.
[0044] The adjustable pivot bearing 12 comprises a remotely operated adjustment drive
21 comprised of an electromotor 22, a step-down gear 23 and a rotation coupling 24 and
placed in a supporting housing 25, which can be vented and aerated. The rotation
coupling 24 includes an elastic intermediate member which is not provided with a
reference number. The electromotor 22, the step-down gear 23 and the rotation coupling
24 have axes aligned with one another, which are oriented parallel to the displacement
direction of the slide guide 15. The portion of the slide guide 15, not covered by slide 16,
is covered by at least one bellows 26. The slide guide 15 comprises one stop 15a and 15b
at each end.
[0045] The orientation of the guide roller 2 or the traversing web 10, respectively, can be
automated thereby that the position of the edge of the web 10 is detected via an (not
shown) optical sensor, which, via a control element, for example the adjustment drive 21,
orients the guide roller 2 accordingly. It is also feasible to employ several optical sensors
on a line perpendicular to the web edge, through which the instantaneous position of the
web 10 is acquired.
[0046] The left pivot bearing 11, which is not adjustable transversely to axis 5, is
fastened on the other end of guide roller 2 swivellably on a stationary holding fixture 27,
and specifically via a bearing housing 28 and a further swivel bearing 29. The disposition
is herein such that the holding fixture 27 of the nonadjustable pivot bearing 11 has axial
tolerance for the compensation of angle and length changes of the guide roller 2. A
suspension 27a can be comprised of a chamber wall or by a mounting lug suspended on
the chamber ceiling. In the latter case, also shown in Figure 3, the suspension terminates
at the dot-dash delimiter line 27b.
[0047] Figure 3 shows a perspective view of two chamber modules 30 and 31 in series
one with the other of treatment or coating installations, which are comprised of the series
disposition of evacuatable chambers 32, 33, 34 and 35, in which the adjustable guide
rollers 2 are each disposed in front of a passage opening in the form of a slot 19 to the
succeeding chamber, as is indicated in Figure 2.
[0048] Chamber 32 is an inward transport lock chamber with a rotatable arbor 32a for an
(not shown here) untreated web roll and a closure flap 32b. The chamber modules 30 and
31 are structured similarly. Their chambers 33 and 34 are also evacuatable and each has
in its center a cooled coating roller 36 on the circumference of which four radial
partitioning walls are disposed, which are here not provided with reference numbers and
whose inner ends, with the exception of a narrow gap, extend up to the particular
emplaced web 10.
[0049] Above the two uppermost partitioning walls is located a common subchamber for
all guide and deflection rollers, beneath said partitioning walls are located three sector-
shaped subchambers for sliding in, not shown, treatment and/or coating sources, which
are fastened on a closure plate which is also not shown here and which can be moved
away. All subchambers are connected to their own vacuum pumps 37.
[0050] Chamber 35 is an outward transport lock chamber with a rotatable arbor 35a for a
treated web roll, not shown here, and a closure flap 35b. The front closure walls of the
chambers 32 and 35 are also omitted to permit inspecting the inside.
[0051] The guide rollers 2 are not driven, but are "dragged" by the particular emplaced
web. They also do not need to have a cylindrical surface, but can also be implemented as
expander rollers in banana form or with conical roller segments, whose shell lines
traverse a common, aligned and linear take-off. The number of chamber modules 30 and
31 is nearly arbitrary.
[0052] In contrast to, for example, DE 197 35 603 Cl, neither the coating roller nor the
treatment and coating sources nor the partitioning walls between the subchambers need to
be repositioned with a registration of the guide roller to follow its movement.
List of Reference Numbers
1 Guide arrangement
2 Guide roller
3 Bearing journal pin
4 Bearing journal pin
5 Axis
6 Shell
7 End pieces
8 Interior space
9 Venting and aerating bores
10 Web
11 Pivot bearing
12 Pivot bearing
13 Holding fixture
14 Chamber wall
15 Slide guide
15a Stop
15b Stop
16 Slide
17 Bearing housing
18 Swivel bearing
19 Slot
20 Partitioning wall
21 Adjustment drive
22 Electromotor
23 Step-down gear
24 Rotation coupling
25 Housing
26 Bellows
27 Holding fixture
27a Suspension device
27b Delimiting line
28 Bearing housing
29 Swivel bearing
30 Chamber module
31 Chamber module
32 Chamber
32a Holding arbor
32b Closure flap
33 Chamber
34 Chamber
35 Chamber
35a Holding arbor
35b Closure flap
36 Coating roller
37 Vacuum pumps
WE CLAIM:
1. Guide mechanism (1) with individual chamber modules (30,31) and at
least one guide roller (2), having an axis (5) and disposed in an
evacuatable web treatment installation for the guidance of webs (10), the
spatial position of the axis (5) being settable, in which the guide roller (2)
is supported between two pivot bearings (11,12), of which at least one is
adjustable relative to the other transversely to the axis (5), in which the
adjustable pivot bearing (12) is disposed on a chamber wall (14)
characterized jn that the adjustable pivot bearing (12) comprises a slide
guide (15) fastened on the chamber wall (14), on which is guided a slide
(16) with the pivot bearing (12), so that the absolutely linear orientation
of the individual chamber modules (30,31) becomes superfluous.
2. Guide mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adjustable pivot
bearing (12) is adjustable parallel to the chamber wall (14).
3. Guide mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adjustable pivot
bearing (12) is swivelably mounted on the slide (16).
4. Guide mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adjustment direction
of the slide guide (15) lies in the bisecting line of the arc of contact of the
guide roller (2) by the web (10).
5. Guide mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adjustable pivot
bearing (12) comprises a remotely operated adjustment drive (21).
6. Guide mechanism as claimed in claim 5, wherein the adjustment drive
(21) is comprised of an electromotor (22), a step-down gear (23) and a
rotation coupling (24).
7. Guide mechanism as claimed in claim 6, wherein the rotation coupling
(24) includes an elastic intermediate member.
8. Guide mechanism as claimed in claim 6, wherein the electromotor (22),
the step-down gear (23) and the rotation coupling (24) have axes aligned
with one another.
9. Guide mechanism as claimed in claims 1 and 8, wherein the aligned axes
are oriented parallel to the displacement direction of the slide guide (15).
10. Guide mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the portion, not covered
by the slide (16), of the slide guide (15) is covered by at least one bellows
(26).
11.Guide mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the slide guide (15) has
one stop (15a, 15b) at both of each ends.
12. Guide mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pivot bearing (11),
not adjustable in the transverse direction, is fastened at the other end of
the guide roller (2) swivelably on a holding fixture (27).
13. Guide mechanism as claimed in claim 12, wherein the holding fixture (27)
of the nonadjustable pivot bearing (11) has axial tolerance for the
compensation of angle- and length changes of the guide roller (2).
14. Guide mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein in a series disposition of
evacuatable chambers (32, 33, 34, 35) the adjustable guide rollers (22)
are each disposed in front of a slot (19) as passage opening to the
succeeding chamber.
15. Guide mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein in a series disposition of
evacuatable chambers (32, 33, 34, 35), the adjustable guide rollers (22)
are each disposed behind a slot (19) as passage opening to the
succeeding chamber.
16.Guide mechanism as claimed in claim1, wherein the proximity of at least
one edge of the traversing web (10) at least one optical sensor is
disposed for acquiring the traversal of this edge and to affect the
adjustment drive (21).
17. Guide mechanism as claimed in claim 16, wherein on the web traversal on
a line perpendicular to the web edge several optical sensors are disposed
for determining the instantaneous web traversal.
18. Guide mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the web treatment
installation is comprised of a series disposition of at least two chamber
modules (30, 31), in each of which one adjustable guide roller (2) is
disposed in front of a passage opening in the form of a slot (19) to the
succeeding chamber (32, 33, 34, 35).
19. Guide mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein orienting the running
direction of a web (10) in the chambers (32, 33, 34, 35) of a web
treatment installation combined out of individual chambers (30, 31),
wherein the deviation of the web running direction from a straight line on
the roller or guide arrangement of the adjacent chamber modules (30,
31), not oriented exactly with respect to one another, can be
compensated with at least one adjustable guide roller (2) in at least one
chamber module (30, 31).
20. An evacuable web treatment installation having a plurality of chambers
(32, 33, 34, 35) combined out of individual chamber modules (30, 31) not
having exactly linear orientation with respect to each other comprising a
guide mechanism as claimed in claims 1-19.
Guide mechanism (1) with individual chamber modules (30,31) and at least one
guide roller (2), having an axis (5) and disposed in an evacuatable web
treatment installation for the guidance of webs (10), the spatial position of the
axis (5) being settable, in which the guide roller (2) is supported between two
pivot bearings (11, 12), of which at least one is adjustable relative to the other
transversely to the axis (5), in which the adjustable pivot bearing (12) is
disposed on a chamber wall (14) characterized in that the adjustable pivot
bearing (12) comprises a slide guide (15) fastened on the chamber wall (14), on
which is guided a slide (16) with the pivot bearing (12), so that the absolutely
linear orientation of the individual chamber modules (30,31) becomes
superfluous

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Patent Number

224704

Indian Patent Application Number

00298/KOL/2005

PG Journal Number

43/2008

Publication Date

24-Oct-2008

Grant Date

22-Oct-2008

Date of Filing

11-Apr-2005

Name of Patentee

APPLIED MATERIALS GMBH & CO. KG.

Applicant Address

SIEMENSSTRASSE 100, D-63755 ALZENAU

Inventors:

#	Inventor's Name	Inventor's Address
1	STEFAN HEIN	AMSELWEG 9 D-63825 BLANKENBACH
2	KARL-HEINRICH WENK	AM PROMENADENWEG 3A D-61231 BAD NAUHEIM
3	REINER KUKLA	BUHLWEG 7 D-63457 HANAU
4	DR. RAINER LUDWIG	GRUNTALSTRABE D63768 HOSBACH
5	PETER SKUK	ROMERSTR.3 D-61130 NIDDERAU

PCT International Classification Number

B65G 13/06

PCT International Application Number

N/A

PCT International Filing date

PCT Conventions:

#	PCT Application Number	Date of Convention	Priority Country
1			NA